Patches and discussion for Ensoniq VFX family

Hi, I'm a recent member to your group (as in, today...).  I acquired a 
VFX synth (not an SD, unfortunately) from a relative, and I'm really 
enjoying it.  I ordered a manual online, and am still waiting for it 
to arrive.  However, I am desperately seeking help on a particular 
issue, namely, that I plugged in my YAMAHA sustain pedal (basic 1/4" 
single ring plug, works on my other keyboards) to the pedal input on 
the back of the module, and the polarity appears to be reversed.  So, 
when I depress the pedal, it causes the sustain to turn OFF.  I've 
searched through every option on the MASTER screen, and I can't for 
the life of me find a way to reverse the polarity.  My only discovery 
seems to be that it's meant to use a dual-pedal unit.  Can anyone help 
me out with this terrible problem?  I'm aching to start using it and 
this single problem is standing in the way of my total and complete 
enjoyment.  Thanks!

-justin pope

Sorry, what was meant was not to reverse the wires, but to use the other set of contacts on the microswitch, if there are another contacts.  That would work as follows:


 _________o Normally open contact (use opposite contact if this is being used)
 |
\/
__________o Common contact  (keep this common contact wired)
/\
|_________o Normally closed contact


Bob
El Segundo, CA



-----Original Message-----

>From: justin_s_pope <justin_s_pope@...>
>Sent: Jun 29, 2006 6:40 PM
>To: Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com
>Subject: [Ensoniq-VFX-SD] Re: Polarity reversal on sustain pedal?
>
>thanks for the tips...
>
>I actually tried to reverse the connections by flipping it last night 
>(didn't work) and am re-soldering it as we speak, just reversing the 
>wires.  
>
>
>
>
>
>
> 
>Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
> 
>
>
>

This is only possible in one of 2 ways:

1) Electrically if the microswitch in the pedal has 3 contacts, Common, NO & NC.  Then if it is using NO, use NC, else if using NC, use NO.

or

2) Mechanically, one user has said that in his switch, he was able to physically reverse the orientation of the switch so that, for example, if normally the contact is unpressed and pushing the pedal presses the contact, he was able to change it so when the pedal was not depressed, the switch lever was pressed, and when the pedal was pressed, the microswitch lever was unpressed....

Otherwise, you need a new pedal......

Bob
El Segundo, CA

-----Original Message-----

>From: justin_s_pope <justin_s_pope@...>
>Sent: Jun 30, 2006 11:48 AM
>To: Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com
>Subject: [Ensoniq-VFX-SD] Re: Polarity reversal on sustain pedal?
>
>how do i do that?
>
>> Sorry, what was meant was not to reverse the wires, but to use the 
>other set of contacts on the microswitch, if there are another 
>contacts.  That would work as follows:
>> 
>> 
>>  _________o Normally open contact (use opposite contact if this is 
>being used)  *****THIS one touches when pedal is not depressed)
>>  |
>> \/
>> __________o Common contact  (keep this common contact wired)
>> /\
>> |_________o Normally closed contact
>> 
>> 
>> Bob
>> El Segundo, CA
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> -----Original Message-----
>> >From: justin_s_pope <justin_s_pope@...>
>> >Sent: Jun 29, 2006 6:40 PM
>> >To: Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com
>> >Subject: [Ensoniq-VFX-SD] Re: Polarity reversal on sustain pedal?
>> >
>> >thanks for the tips...
>> >
>> >I actually tried to reverse the connections by flipping it last 
>night 
>> >(didn't work) and am re-soldering it as we speak, just reversing 
>the 
>> >wires.  
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > 
>> >Yahoo! Groups Links
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > 
>> >
>> >
>> >
>>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> 
>Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
> 
>
>
>

To add to Bob's response, you can also test the NO/NC contact using a
multi meter on the ohm or continuity setting before you go about
soldering.  
 
Just to be sure you understand:
A non-pressed NO will show up as an open between the two contacts
A pressed NO will show up as a short between the two contacts
 
A non-pressed NC will show up as an short between the two contacts
A pressed NC will show up as a open between the two contacts
 
Open ~ Infinity Ohms (typically many Meg-Ohms)
Short ~ 0 Ohms (typically 1-2 Ohms)
 
Hope this helps!
Rodney

-----Original Message-----
From: Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Bob S.
Sent: Friday, June 30, 2006 3:25 PM
To: Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [Ensoniq-VFX-SD] Re: Polarity reversal on sustain pedal?



This is only possible in one of 2 ways:

1) Electrically if the microswitch in the pedal has 3 contacts, Common,
NO & NC. Then if it is using NO, use NC, else if using NC, use NO.

or

2) Mechanically, one user has said that in his switch, he was able to
physically reverse the orientation of the switch so that, for example,
if normally the contact is unpressed and pushing the pedal presses the
contact, he was able to change it so when the pedal was not depressed,
the switch lever was pressed, and when the pedal was pressed, the
microswitch lever was unpressed....

Otherwise, you need a new pedal......

Bob
El Segundo, CA

-----Original Message-----
>From: justin_s_pope <justin_s_pope@ <mailto:justin_s_pope%40yahoo.com>
yahoo.com>
>Sent: Jun 30, 2006 11:48 AM
>To: Ensoniq-VFX- <mailto:Ensoniq-VFX-SD%40yahoogroups.com>
SD@yahoogroups.com
>Subject: [Ensoniq-VFX-SD] Re: Polarity reversal on sustain pedal?
>
>how do i do that?
>
>> Sorry, what was meant was not to reverse the wires, but to use the 
>other set of contacts on the microswitch, if there are another 
>contacts. That would work as follows:
>> 
>> 
>> _________o Normally open contact (use opposite contact if this is 
>being used) *****THIS one touches when pedal is not depressed)
>> |
>> \/
>> __________o Common contact (keep this common contact wired)
>> /\
>> |_________o Normally closed contact
>> 
>> 
>> Bob
>> El Segundo, CA
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> -----Original Message-----
>> >From: justin_s_pope <justin_s_pope@...>
>> >Sent: Jun 29, 2006 6:40 PM
>> >To: Ensoniq-VFX- <mailto:Ensoniq-VFX-SD%40yahoogroups.com>
SD@yahoogroups.com

>> >Subject: [Ensoniq-VFX-SD] Re: Polarity reversal on sustain pedal?
>> >
>> >thanks for the tips...
>> >
>> >I actually tried to reverse the connections by flipping it last 
>night 
>> >(didn't work) and am re-soldering it as we speak, just reversing 
>the 
>> >wires. 
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > 
>> >Yahoo! Groups Links
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > 
>> >
>> >
>> >
>>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> 
>Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
> 
>
>
>

With the help of you fine folks (and RadioShack) I am now the fully-
functional user of my VFX.  Like Bob said, there were 3 contacts, 
two of which were soldered together to make it a NO switch.  I had 
never soldered before (as my burnt fingers will attest), but called 
up a friend who is quite adept and re-soldered it to make a NC 
switch.  It works!!  I was actually just running up from the studio 
to post my joy.  I'm sure I will have more than a few questions, as 
you all seem to be pretty knowledgeable about your instruments...

...for instance, I'm getting a "WARNING: LOW BATTERY VOLTAGE" note 
every time I start up the unit.  can I replace the battery myself?  
is it a simple job with easily-found parts, or do I have to pay an 
arm and a leg for a new one?

-jsp

--- In Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com, "Rodney Mcdonald" 
<rodneymc@...> wrote:
>
> To add to Bob's response, you can also test the NO/NC contact 
using a
> multi meter on the ohm or continuity setting before you go about
> soldering.  
>  
> Just to be sure you understand:
> A non-pressed NO will show up as an open between the two contacts
> A pressed NO will show up as a short between the two contacts
>  
> A non-pressed NC will show up as an short between the two contacts
> A pressed NC will show up as a open between the two contacts
>  
> Open ~ Infinity Ohms (typically many Meg-Ohms)
> Short ~ 0 Ohms (typically 1-2 Ohms)
>  
> Hope this helps!
> Rodney
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com
> [mailto:Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Bob S.
> Sent: Friday, June 30, 2006 3:25 PM
> To: Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: Re: [Ensoniq-VFX-SD] Re: Polarity reversal on sustain 
pedal?
> 
> 
> 
> This is only possible in one of 2 ways:
> 
> 1) Electrically if the microswitch in the pedal has 3 contacts, 
Common,
> NO & NC. Then if it is using NO, use NC, else if using NC, use NO.
> 
> or
> 
> 2) Mechanically, one user has said that in his switch, he was able 
to
> physically reverse the orientation of the switch so that, for 
example,
> if normally the contact is unpressed and pushing the pedal presses 
the
> contact, he was able to change it so when the pedal was not 
depressed,
> the switch lever was pressed, and when the pedal was pressed, the
> microswitch lever was unpressed....
> 
> Otherwise, you need a new pedal......
> 
> Bob
> El Segundo, CA
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> >From: justin_s_pope <justin_s_pope@ <mailto:justin_s_pope%
40yahoo.com>
> yahoo.com>
> >Sent: Jun 30, 2006 11:48 AM
> >To: Ensoniq-VFX- <mailto:Ensoniq-VFX-SD%40yahoogroups.com>
> SD@yahoogroups.com
> >Subject: [Ensoniq-VFX-SD] Re: Polarity reversal on sustain pedal?
> >
> >how do i do that?
> >
> >> Sorry, what was meant was not to reverse the wires, but to use 
the 
> >other set of contacts on the microswitch, if there are another 
> >contacts. That would work as follows:
> >> 
> >> 
> >> _________o Normally open contact (use opposite contact if this 
is 
> >being used) *****THIS one touches when pedal is not depressed)
> >> |
> >> \/
> >> __________o Common contact (keep this common contact wired)
> >> /\
> >> |_________o Normally closed contact
> >> 
> >> 
> >> Bob
> >> El Segundo, CA
> >> 
> >> 
> >> 
> >> -----Original Message-----
> >> >From: justin_s_pope <justin_s_pope@>
> >> >Sent: Jun 29, 2006 6:40 PM
> >> >To: Ensoniq-VFX- <mailto:Ensoniq-VFX-SD%40yahoogroups.com>
> SD@yahoogroups.com
> >> >Subject: [Ensoniq-VFX-SD] Re: Polarity reversal on sustain 
pedal?
> >> >
> >> >thanks for the tips...
> >> >
> >> >I actually tried to reverse the connections by flipping it 
last 
> >night 
> >> >(didn't work) and am re-soldering it as we speak, just 
reversing 

> >the 
> >> >wires. 
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > 
> >> >Yahoo! Groups Links
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > 
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >>
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > 
> >Yahoo! Groups Links
> >
> >
> >
> > 
> >
> >
> >
>

Yes there are several options for this, but with a bit more involvement.
 
One place you want to check is Rte.66:
http://hometown.aol.com/route66studios1/Batteries.html
There are a few benefits listed.
 
What I did was desolder the battery on the board, buy an equivalent
battery at radio shack, carefully soldered a couple of wires on it, and
connected back to the main PC board.
 
You may want to practice a bit with desoldering using good quality
soldering braid and a solder sucker.   Buy some practice PC boards at
radio shack before you hash into your VFX.
 
I say carefully on the battery, is that you don't want the battery
getting too hot, which can be a hazard (read explosion), always use eye
protection! :o)
 
So Rte. 66 way may be your best bet.  
 
And don't forget that there's another pedal that you can connect as
well!  Though not sure if it's on the VFX as it is on the VFX0-SD, it is
really useful for looping particular parts of a song for extended jams.
It uses a dual plug (e.g. stereo) with a shared common.
 
Rodney
 
 

-----Original Message-----
From: Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of justin_s_pope
Sent: Friday, June 30, 2006 4:35 PM
To: Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [Ensoniq-VFX-SD] RESOLUTION!! Re: Polarity reversal on sustain
pedal?



With the help of you fine folks (and RadioShack) I am now the fully-
functional user of my VFX. Like Bob said, there were 3 contacts, 
two of which were soldered together to make it a NO switch. I had 
never soldered before (as my burnt fingers will attest), but called 
up a friend who is quite adept and re-soldered it to make a NC 
switch. It works!! I was actually just running up from the studio 
to post my joy. I'm sure I will have more than a few questions, as 
you all seem to be pretty knowledgeable about your instruments...

...for instance, I'm getting a "WARNING: LOW BATTERY VOLTAGE" note 
every time I start up the unit. can I replace the battery myself? 
is it a simple job with easily-found parts, or do I have to pay an 
arm and a leg for a new one?

-jsp

--- In Ensoniq-VFX- <mailto:Ensoniq-VFX-SD%40yahoogroups.com>
SD@yahoogroups.com, "Rodney Mcdonald" 
<rodneymc@...> wrote:
>
> To add to Bob's response, you can also test the NO/NC contact 
using a
> multi meter on the ohm or continuity setting before you go about
> soldering. 
> 
> Just to be sure you understand:
> A non-pressed NO will show up as an open between the two contacts
> A pressed NO will show up as a short between the two contacts
> 
> A non-pressed NC will show up as an short between the two contacts
> A pressed NC will show up as a open between the two contacts
> 
> Open ~ Infinity Ohms (typically many Meg-Ohms)
> Short ~ 0 Ohms (typically 1-2 Ohms)
> 
> Hope this helps!
> Rodney
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Ensoniq-VFX- <mailto:Ensoniq-VFX-SD%40yahoogroups.com>
SD@yahoogroups.com
> [mailto:Ensoniq-VFX- <mailto:Ensoniq-VFX-SD%40yahoogroups.com>
SD@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Bob S.
> Sent: Friday, June 30, 2006 3:25 PM
> To: Ensoniq-VFX- <mailto:Ensoniq-VFX-SD%40yahoogroups.com>
SD@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: Re: [Ensoniq-VFX-SD] Re: Polarity reversal on sustain 
pedal?
> 
> 
> 
> This is only possible in one of 2 ways:
> 
> 1) Electrically if the microswitch in the pedal has 3 contacts, 
Common,
> NO & NC. Then if it is using NO, use NC, else if using NC, use NO.
> 
> or
> 
> 2) Mechanically, one user has said that in his switch, he was able 
to
> physically reverse the orientation of the switch so that, for 
example,
> if normally the contact is unpressed and pushing the pedal presses 
the
> contact, he was able to change it so when the pedal was not 
depressed,
> the switch lever was pressed, and when the pedal was pressed, the
> microswitch lever was unpressed....
> 
> Otherwise, you need a new pedal......
> 
> Bob
> El Segundo, CA
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> >From: justin_s_pope <justin_s_pope@ <mailto:justin_s_pope%
40yahoo.com>
> yahoo.com>
> >Sent: Jun 30, 2006 11:48 AM
> >To: Ensoniq-VFX- <mailto:Ensoniq-VFX-SD%40yahoogroups.com>
> SD@yahoogroups. <mailto:SD%40yahoogroups.com> com
> >Subject: [Ensoniq-VFX-SD] Re: Polarity reversal on sustain pedal?
> >
> >how do i do that?
> >
> >> Sorry, what was meant was not to reverse the wires, but to use 
the 
> >other set of contacts on the microswitch, if there are another 
> >contacts. That would work as follows:
> >> 
> >> 
> >> _________o Normally open contact (use opposite contact if this 
is 
> >being used) *****THIS one touches when pedal is not depressed)
> >> |
> >> \/
> >> __________o Common contact (keep this common contact wired)
> >> /\
> >> |_________o Normally closed contact
> >> 
> >> 
> >> Bob
> >> El Segundo, CA
> >> 
> >> 
> >> 
> >> -----Original Message-----
> >> >From: justin_s_pope <justin_s_pope@>
> >> >Sent: Jun 29, 2006 6:40 PM
> >> >To: Ensoniq-VFX- <mailto:Ensoniq-VFX-SD%40yahoogroups.com>
> SD@yahoogroups. <mailto:SD%40yahoogroups.com> com
> >> >Subject: [Ensoniq-VFX-SD] Re: Polarity reversal on sustain 
pedal?
> >> >
> >> >thanks for the tips...
> >> >
> >> >I actually tried to reverse the connections by flipping it 
last 
> >night 
> >> >(didn't work) and am re-soldering it as we speak, just 
reversing 

> >the 
> >> >wires. 
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > 
> >> >Yahoo! Groups Links
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > 
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >>
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > 
> >Yahoo! Groups Links
> >
> >
> >
> > 
> >
> >
> >
>